Image: EPCOT Legacy

In February 2025, a trip to Orlando for an unrelated conference unexpectedly turned into a field study for Paik Replayed. Wandering through Disney’s EPCOT, I saw surprising parallels between its immersive storytelling, Buckminster Fuller’s Spaceship Earth, and Nam June Paik’s vision of a hyper-connected world.

EPCOT: A Retro-Futuristic Vision

EPCOT oscillates between past dreams of the future and today’s reality. Standing beneath Spaceship Earth, I saw echoes of Fuller and Paik—both envisioned technology as a tool for global connection. Fuller’s geodesic dome and Paik’s electronic superhighway shared the belief that media and architecture shape human experience.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure provided the most thought-provoking parallel to our research. The ride’s immersive projection mapping creates an environment that plays with scale and perspective, altering visitors’ spatial perception. This manipulation of reality echoes Paik’s distorted television images and video installations, which similarly challenged conventional perceptions of space and reality. Both create environments where media doesn’t simply display content but actively shapes physical and perceptual experiences.

METIL: The Future of Immersive Tech

During my time in Orlando, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. David Metcalf, director of the University of Central Florida‘s Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab (METIL) and formerly lead multimedia designer at NASA Kennedy Space Center. Our conversation led to an invitation to visit the lab.

METIL researchers push the boundaries of AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity (ABC) while exploring new dimensions of interactive experiences. Avalon Holographics’ 3D displays eliminate the need for headsets, aligning with Paik’s vision of media beyond the screen. Testing the HaptX Gloves DK2 was a revelation—feeling digital textures. METIL’s AR/VR innovations transform medical training and data security and show how immersive tech reshapes multiple industries.

Why This Matters to Paik Replayed

Although vastly different, EPCOT and METIL reveal the same truth: immersive media reshapes our spaces. Paik blurred the lines between art and technology, and today’s exhibitions are taking this further with projection mapping, AI-driven installations, and interactive experiences. Museums aren’t just displaying art; they’re becoming immersive environments.

As Paik Replayed continues its research, we’ll keep documenting how technology transforms artistic expression and audience engagement. Paik once said, “The future is now.” Walking through EPCOT and METIL, I felt its reality more than ever.

References & Further Reading:

• Buckminster Fuller’s Influence on EPCOT
  Dive deeper into the connection between Fuller’s geodesic designs and EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth.
• The Future is Now!
  A short film by Jim Henson exploring visions of the future and technological innovation for IBM in 1967.
• Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway
  Explore Paik’s iconic 1995 media artwork envisioning a hyper-connected America.